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Ficus elastica – the natural rubber flora , is a member of the genus Ficus under the fig family Moraceae .
Its other usual name include :
Green leaves of Ficus elastica
Many type of pencil eraser plants and pencil eraser tree diagram varietieshave been grown indoorsas a houseplant for decades .
Ficus elastica is a plant life that has aid many a householder begin their journey of turn plant indoors .
Check out the bestindoor plants with epithet .
Green leaves of Ficus elastica
The rubber trees ’ popularity was probably at its highest from the vocal by Frank Sinatra , “ High Hopes ” .
Rubber plantelastica ficusand its many varieties plow neglect much practiced than the rubber eraser plant ’s cousin-german – Ficus benjamin .
Native to India and easterly Asia , the works can become massive , contact 50′ to 100′ feet marvelous and wide-cut .
When grown as a houseplant , it will often attain about 10′ foot marvellous and need pruning to maintain its shape .
Sturdy industrial plant stems bear lustrous , usually dark greenish leave of absence , 12″ inches long , 6″ inch wide , and oval . This plant also rarely bloom .
Care for this broken foliage works with sheeny leave is light to learn .
Ficus Elastic Quick Care Tips
Rubber Plant Care Tips
When given proper care – awell - drain Ficus potting soil , lustrous , indirect light , and water – Elastica rubber plant can rapidly become telling specimens .
It prefers well - enfeeble and slenderly acidic stain with a pH level ranging from 5.5 to 7.0 .
Room Temperaturesbetween 70 ° -78 ° degree Fahrenheit will produce an excellent rubber plant . During the wintertime , keep temperatures above 55 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
It will thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 - 11 . It also prefers high humidity , about 50 % or more .
The amount of arctic plant pass on on a tree may not be as numerous as Ficus benjamina , but their size of it intend they concord lots of water .
Whenwatering , water rubber plantsthoroughly , altogether impregnate and dowse the dirt medium . Remember to allow the soil to dry out out between waterings .
The frequence will bet on lighting , temperature , and plant size . Overwatering can lead to theme rot .
During the active growing month of natural spring and summertime , fecundate with liquid flora solid food once per month .
Whenrepottingthe ficus tree , practice a commercial houseplant soil ; adding a little extra peat moss would not hurt . plant can originate quickly and ask repot every span of years . employ a weed with drain holes .
To advance branch , remove the top growing tip , and new shoots will begin to form and branch out of the India rubber plant .
The Many Kinds Of Rubber Plant Varieties
There are many Ficus elastica form or types of rubber flora cultivar . The more democratic genus Ficus species include :
… and assortedvariegated rubber flora types(Doescheri , Asahi ) and nanus varieties .
Related : There are othertypes of Ficusbesides rubber plant life varieties .
The unfeigned Amerindic rubber flora – Ficus elastica – has been replace with other more durable potpourri for usance indoors .
The variety known as “ Robusta ” – Ficus elastica robusta or Ficus robusta , probably comes closest to the original .
Another variety , “ Ficus Decora , ” is slimly different than “ Robusta , ” with larger and broader leaves , and a center vein that is red underneath , and ‘ whitish ’ on top .
The sheaths that protect newfangled go forth leaves are red as well .
A sullen variety fuck as Burgundy or ‘ Abidjan ’ has beautiful dark leaves appear almost dark reddish - purple .
If break to cool temperature – burgundy – has a leaning to drop farewell .
There is even a“creeping genus Ficus ” – Ficus pumila !
Variegated Types Of Ficus Elastica Varieties
Several varieties of Ficus elastica are vary with shades of green and white or creamy icteric . Check out theFicus Tineke arctic works .
To show off the contrast of the variegation , plant want to be in plenty of light . When growing in low light , the foliage can become all greenish and rather dull in color .
Rubber Plant Propagation
Problems and Pest
Droopy leaves – ordinarily a sign of a plant in want of water . Place the plant in a bucketful or saucer of weewee and allow the soil to become soundly concentrated . Drain off superfluous H2O .
Brown Spots and Leaf Drop – These symptoms show up when the industrial plant gets too cold .
Dropping leave-taking and yellow leave – This can materialize during winter months when the works involve more luminance and being over watered . Move the rubber plant to a brighter placement and reduce watering .
On the other manus , fig wasps are often see as pollinator . However , some species ( non - pollinator ) only feed off the works and could cause danger in numbers .
Buying Tips
Look for sizable plants which are compact , holding glossy leaves .
As long as the flora gets good lighting and water supply , caring for them is comfortable , and a Ficus rubber industrial plant can live indoors for many years .
NOTE : Take care when handling the plant . The sap ( latex ) can make mild peel temper or rash .
Care Questions and Answers
Question : The rubber industrial plant I bought last year had prissy dark green foliage , but since it has put on no new foliage , in fact , it has lost three leaves from the bottom . Why ?
Answer : Keep the industrial plant in a small pot for the size of the plant . DO NOT water the gum elastic plant more than twice a week in winter and three times a week in the summer . Clean the leavesonce a calendar month with a damp cloth to take any detritus . ready the plant in a position with bright indirect lighting but not in direct sunshine . DO NOT allow the rubber plant to dry out out , or the lower leaves may sink as you have indicated .
